World

Merkel urges Serbia-Kosovo dialogue

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Serbia's accession to the European Union depends on concrete results in its negotiations with breakaway Kosovo.

14.03.2012

(AP) German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Serbia's accession to the European Union depends on concrete results in its negotiations with breakaway Kosovo.

She said during her one-day visit to Belgrade on Tuesday that minority Kosovo Serbs who reject Kosovo statehood must abolish their parallel rule in the north of the country, which has seen a recent spike of ethnic tensions.

Serbian President Boris Tadic said at a joint media conference that Belgrade is ready for a compromise with the Kosovo Albanian leadership, but without jeopardizing Serbia's "integrity and principles."

Serbia has vowed never to recognize Kosovo's independence proclaimed in 2008.